UN peacekeepers in changing times

The history of United Nations peacekeeping is one of innovation and adaptation. Until some 20 years ago, UN peacekeeping seemed a more straightforward affair. Blue Helmets, or the peacekeepers, were deployed to monitor ceasefires — usually between warring countries. Their role was clear: they observed, reported breaches and facilitated solutions.

Modern peacekeepers operate in much more complex terrain. They help bring peace to lands brutally affected by conflicts, often internal, and where agreements are fragile. Non-state actors, such as organised criminal groups, present additional challenges to peace.

To meet these challenges, UN peacekeeping has developed a multidimensional approach that brings together military, police and civilians working in various areas, including rule of law, human rights and protection of civilians. But, as we prepare to meet new demands, peacekeeping will come face to face with two fundamental truths.

First, UN peacekeeping cannot substitute for a political agreement. Peacekeeping interventions must be underpinned in a clear political frame.

Second, UN peacekeeping needs more and better tools and skills. We must ensure our missions are given the resources they need to ensure full awareness of evolving situations and to respond appropriately.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where armed groups continue to threaten millions of civilians, we are responding with a new Force Intervention Brigade and the use of unarmed, unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor the movement of armed groups that pose a threat to civilians. These tools will give our peacekeeping mission a tactical edge, rapid mobility and stronger deterrent effect.

These new approaches are raising concerns that UN peacekeeping is tilting towards war fighting. This is not the case. Our Security Council mandate is clear: the use of force by our peacekeepers in the DRC is the exception, not the rule in UN peacekeeping.

The changing nature of armed conflicts demands changes in the capabilities of UN peacekeeping. Increasingly, UN peacekeepers operate in high-risk environments, where the quest for peace and stability is elusive. But, as UN peacekeeping addresses the nature of 21^st century conflict, adapting to these new contexts constitutes an evolution, not a revolution.

We stand on the core principles that have guided peacekeeping since the 1950s to act impartially in support of peace and operate with the consent of the parties. We use force only in self-defence and defence of a Security Council mandate. But, we must also be prepared to confront spoilers at the margins of a peace process.

In 2012, 111 peacekeepers lost their lives in the UN service. In April this year, five peacekeepers were killed in South Sudan, when the civilian convoy they were escorting was attacked. In June last year, seven peacekeepers were killed in Cote d’Ivoire, when their patrol was attacked. We have also lost peacekeepers to attacks in Darfur, Abyei and the DRC in the past year.

As we pause on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers today, May 29, to pay tribute to our fallen colleagues, we also pay tribute to the unique peacekeeping partnership — those who contribute the financial, human resource and material support. Thanks to this unique partnership, UN peacekeeping continues to evolve and remains a relevant tool to address modern conflict. Despite the threats, old and new, UN peacekeepers continue to do what they do best: go where others cannot or will not go to help people and communities in conflict. We uphold, as ever, our solemn pledge to rise to this challenge.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2013.